Aurora Celeste ([info]auroraceleste) wrote in [info]corsetmakers,
@ 2006-10-01 18:43:00
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Memories - Post 1 - Where to buy supplies
As you know, we're redoing the memories, trying to update them and get more current information, links, and new perspectives. This is the first post in the series. All memories can be accessed from the Community Info page.

This memory deals with where to buy corsetry supplies. The original post is here:

http://community.livejournal.com/corsetmakers/423.html

The original had everywhere, but I'm going to split this post into three locations.

This post is for Australian suppliers. Please post a website address or phone number and location when posting. Also, feel free to post about your experience with a company that's already listed. Thanks!


Here are the locations that have been mentioned, in alphabetical order:

Leffler - South Melbourne.

Metropolitan Garments - 02 9313 6611 - Rosebery, NSW.

(Post a new comment)

leffler - eyelets, grommets, buckles and the rest.
[info]japsalminn
2006-10-02 12:55 am UTC (link)
fantastic wholesaler that sells to the public.

Leffler
50-66 York St
South Melbourne, 3205
(03) 9690 3577
http://www.leffler.com.au

They are a primarily a leather wholesaler who caters to the saddlery and shoe making and garment industry so they are a fantastic source of eyelets, rivits, heavy duty press studs, buckles, D-rings, plastic quick release buckle/snaps, strapping/cord, leather working equipment as well as a fantastic range of leather.

The best thing is they sell the dies/presses for all the parts they sell.

They sell most of their press studs, eyelets and small things etc in bulk (lots of 20-100) but they sell their buckles and other items individually. For example press studs cost $20 for 100 complete sets but all of the four components are bought individually at $5.00 100/bag, so you can buy the red, black and silver tops without having to buy 150 of each of the three other components because they are interchangeable.

They are cheap because they are a wholesaler but all the components are good quality.

The only trouble I find is that they are only open on weekdays in business hours so if you work full time it can be hard to get down there with out taking time off work. And the staff are not very friendly and it can be a little off putting for some people, you can ask questions and you get answers, they just don't have the happy bouncy retail sales staff you might find in lincraft etc. who ask you ask how you are doing and what you are making but they will explain in detail what the difference is between the Canadian and British stainless steel hobnail buckles are and why one costs a $1.20 more than the other. I.e. they know their stuff.
If you are like me you'll need a few hours at least because they have rooms full of stuff, and you'll find new things every time you go.

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[info]anidan
2006-10-02 01:53 am UTC (link)
Metropolitan Garments
17 Dunning Ave
Rosebery NSW 2018
Australia

02 9313 6611

Specifically for corsets, they stock:
Boning—Spiral and spring steel boning in two widths plus end caps/u-tips.
Busks—Standard, heavy duty and tapered, in a large range of lengths.
Coutil—plain, sateen and brocade (broché as they call it).
Lacing—cotton and poly, sold by the metre or a 144m spool.
The only thing they don't have that I really wanted was spoon busks. I also didn't see any grommets or bone casing and twill tape as I wasn't looking for them last time I was there, but I'd be surprised if they didn't as they have a 3 story space filled floor to ceiling with everything else you need.

Miscellaneous other stuff they have:
Bra making supplies and more fabric than you can poke a stick at including powernet, lycra, wet look pvc and allover lace.

They are a large wholesale place, so you must call them first rather than rock up to the door or you risk not being served. There are technically minimum quantities, but I got away with 10 metres of boning and a handful of busks. Ivan can be crotchety, so make sure you know exactly what you're looking for, be polite and you can get just about anything from him. I found he seemed a little sceptical at first, but once he realised I was serious about corsetry he couldn't show me enough of their stock.

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[info]das
2006-10-02 04:53 am UTC (link)
*you will get away with below minimum amounts if you are sugary sweet and increadibly polite.

Another note is that cash is their preferred method of payment.

Bone casing+twill tape is near the bra supplies and elastics on rolls. I haven't found grommets.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]goatsfoot
2007-06-26 02:19 am UTC (link)
Their website is http://www.metrofabrics.com.au/ although you can't order directly from it, nor does it have prices; it only gives an overview of what products they have. I haven't shopped from there yet but have been advised by email that they will quote on your order.

They advertise on their site that "No order is too small".

They seem to have spoon and concave busks now.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]goatsfoot
2007-01-12 10:41 pm UTC (link)
Harvey R J & Co
Tailor's Trimmings 37 Swanston St Melbourne 3000
(03) 9654 7047

They sell busks and 9mm sprung & spiral boning for corsets, and that's about it. If you're in Melbourne and need a few bones/busks fast, they'd be the place to go. They've got other non-corsetry stuff that could be interesting/rare to find, too.

I second Lefflers *heart*

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RE: the location
[info]killermanikins
2008-05-23 10:42 pm UTC (link)
I found it extremely hard to find when I was first looking for it. For those who don't know, there's an arcade type thing on Swantson St that has Tailor's Trimmings in it. It's on the 3rd floor or so, from memory. There's elevators and steps in there. I just thought I'd provide some extra information for those having trouble finding it.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
Re: the location
[info]killermanikins
2008-05-23 10:50 pm UTC (link)
I picked this up when I first went there.



Hope this helps a bit.

(Reply to this)(Parent)
ACT Based mail order company
[info]mlmillinery
2007-03-23 06:23 am UTC (link)
http://www.ortensia.com.au/home.php?cat=259

Ortensa Sewing Supplies. Stocks steel boning and laughing moon patterns.

Accepts a variety of payment methods.

(Reply to this)

[info]mandymaria
2007-04-05 08:52 am UTC (link)
A Rare Notion
Based in Melbourne. Stocks a range of corsetry supplies, busks, boning, eyelets, patterns, bias binding, lacing, etc.

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[info]lilithsatyne
2008-06-18 09:40 am UTC (link)
Totally awesome company. Super fast communication and postage.

i think i would have gone insane without mandy's awesome help

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[info]theuppitywoman
2008-09-18 07:02 am UTC (link)
Highly, highly recommend A Rare Notion, excellent, fast service & the range is fantastic (plus she will order in things especially)

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]goatsfoot
2007-06-25 01:48 pm UTC (link)
http://www.aussiecorsetsupplies.com.au

They're a bit limited in their range. They seem to have grommets, unless they're actually eyelets At the moment their only boning is 6mm spiral precut.

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[info]auscorsets
2008-01-01 12:32 pm UTC (link)
Hi! ..if I may give an update. I manage the inventory for aussie corset supplies and we stock actual grommets( which are very different to eyelets)! We also now carry continuous spiral steel & bone casing in two widths( 6mm and 11mm). BTW - Spoon busks cost a pretty penny - even in bulk orders ( they are made in Germany) and have a MOQ of 100 pieces...which can be ordered on request.
Lastly - we carry two victorian corset patterns - an underbust ( male & female) pattern & an overbust pattern.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

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